Gastrostomy tube

Abstract

A gastrostomy tube has a retaining element which has a generally triangular shape with rounded vertices. The retaining element is made up of three resilient petaloid flanges which extend radially from the tubular portion of the gastrostomy tube. The petaloid flanges and the tubular portion are made of different materials. Substantially triangular connecting portions are interposed between and interconnect each pair of next adjacent petaloid flanges. The petaloid flanges are rendered less flexible than the connecting portions by either variations in thickness or materials between the petaloid flanges and connecting portions. The assembly of a gastrostomy tube and a tapered dilator is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A gastrostomy tube comprising a tubular portion having first and second ends and a retaining element disposed near the first end of the tubular portion, said retaining element comprising three resilient petaloid flanges which extend radially from the tubular portion with substantially triangular connecting portions interposed between and connecting each pair of next adjacent petaloid flanges, the ends of the petaloid flanges which are distal from the tubular portion being rounded, the petaloid flanges and connecting portions being shaped such that said retaining element has a triangular shape with rounded vertices, and said petaloid flanges being less flexible than said connecting portions, between the retaining element and said second end the tubular portion comprises a material having a durometer in the range of 30 to 40 Shore A and the petaloid flanges of the retaining element comprise a material having a durometer in the range of 50 to 80 Shore A. 
     
     
       2. A gastrostomy tube according to claim 1 wherein and the entire retaining element comprises the same material, and said connecting portions have a thickness that is less than the thickness of the petaloid flanges. 
     
     
       3. A gastrostomy tube according to claim 2 wherein the thickness of the petaloid flanges is in the range of two times to six times greater than the thickness of said connecting portions. 
     
     
       4. A gastrostomy tube according to either one of claims 2 or 3 wherein both the retaining element and tubular portion comprise medical grade silicone rubbers. 
     
     
       5. A gastrostomy tube according to claim 1 wherein the petaloid flanges of said retaining element comprise a first material and the connecting portions of said retaining element comprise a second material that is different from the first material. 
     
     
       6. A gastrostomy tube according to claim 5 wherein the thickness of the petaloid flanges and the connecting portions are substantially the same. 
     
     
       7. A gastrostomy tube according to claim 5 wherein the petaloid flanges are encased in the material which comprises the connecting portions. 
     
     
       8. A gastrostomy tube according to claim 5 wherein the connecting portions have a thickness that is less than the petaloid flanges. 
     
     
       9. A gastrostomy tube according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the connecting portions comprise a material having a durometer in the range of 10 to 40 Shore A. 
     
     
       10. A gastrostomy tube according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the tubular portion and the petaloid flanges comprise medical grade silicone rubbers and the connecting portions comprise a medical grade silicone rubber having a durometer in the range of 10 to 40 Shore A. 
     
     
       11. An assembly of a gastrostomy tube and a tapered dilator comprising; (a) a gastrostomy tube comprising a tubular portion having first and second ends and a retaining element disposed near the first end of the tubular portion, said retaining element comprising three resilient petaloid flanges which extend radially from the tubular portion with substantially triangular connecting portions interposed between and connecting each pair of next adjacent petaloid flanges, the ends of the petaloid flanges which are distal from the tubular portion being rounded, the petaloid flanges and connecting portions being shaped such that said retaining element has a triangular shape with rounded vertices, and said petaloid flanges being less flexible than said connecting portions, between the retaining element and said second end the tubular portion comprises a material having a durometer in the range of 30 to 40 Shore A and the petaloid flanges of the retaining element comprise a material having a durometer in the range of 50 to 80 Shore A; and,   (b) a tapered dilator having first and second ends with a lumen extending between said ends of the dilator, the outside diameter of the dilator being greater at said first end than at said second end, the second end of the gastrostomy tube being connected to the first end of the dilator by means for connecting, the tubular portion of the gastrostomy tube comprising a first material and the dilator comprising a second material.   
     
     
       12. An assembly of a gastrostomy tube and a tapered dilator according to claim 11 wherein said means for connecting is integral to said tapered dilator. 
     
     
       13. An assembly of a gastrostomy tube and a tapered dilator according to claim 11 wherein said means for connecting is a hollow tubular connector comprising a third material. 
     
     
       14. An assembly of a gastrostomy tube and a tapered dilator according to claim 11 wherein said first material has a durometer in the range of 30 to 40 Shore A and said second material has a durometer that is the range of 0.90 gm/cm 3  to 0.94 gm/cm 3 . 
     
     
       15. An assembly of a gastrostomy tube and a tapered dilator according to claim 13 wherein said first material is a medical grade silicone rubber, said second material is a low density polyethylene and said third material is a nylon.